72 MISCELLANEOUS FARM SUBJECTS 



The clover is useful in thickening the sod and by its ability to gather 

 nitrogen it assists the growth of the grasses with which it is sown. 



South of the Potomac in the Atlantic coast States Bermuda 

 grass does very well for lawn purposes. In certain sections west of 

 the Mississippi River Buffalo grass would make an admirable lawn. 

 It withstands the drought and is able to establish and maintain itself 

 under adverse climatic conditions. In selecting the grass to be used 

 climatic conditions should largely govern. In mixtures care should 

 be exercised to select grasses of like habits of growth and coloring. 

 Otherwise the lawn is apt tc have a spotted appearance. (F. B. 248; 

 Dept. 111. U. 138; 0. Ex. Sta. 106; B. of S. B. 75.) 



Selecting the Seed. Pure seed is the very foundation of secur- 

 ing a clean and perfect lawn. Without that the very best prepara- 

 tion will fall short. In securing a good stand of grass pure seed 

 of high germination is of the greatest importance. One of the 

 chief charms of a lawn is to have an even stand of grass of uniform 

 color. Where it is possible to obtain it specially selected seed should 

 be used. The purity of the seed can, in a measure, be determined 

 by its weight. The ordinary grade of bluegrass seed used for com- 

 mercial purposes averages only about twelve pounds to the bushel, 

 while the select seed fit for lawn use weighs about twenty-two pounds 

 to the bushel. 



In making a good lawn it is also important that plenty of seed 

 be used. It is better to use an excessive amount of seed rather than 

 to seed sparingly. A thick stand of healthy growing grass gives little 

 opportunity for the growth of weeds, while a thin stand gives the 

 weeds an abundant opportunity. Bluegrass and the bent grasses 

 should be sown at the ratio of two or three bushels to the acre. If 

 used alone bluegrass should not be used at less than two bushels to 

 the acre. A peck of white clover to the acre is sufficient if used in 

 combination with bluegrass. In some soils white clover is an im- 

 portant factor, as it germinates quickly and covers the ground. It 

 is also able to re-establish itself very quickly after periods of severe 

 drought. As the other grasses become more marked in the farming 

 of the turf the clover will disappear. 



Manner and Time of Sowing. After the seed has been selected 

 the manner and time of sowing becomes important. Since grass 

 seed is very small care should be taken to bring it in close contact 

 with the ground. It is therefore desirable to sow the seed imme- 

 diately before a shower. In lawn planting, as in many other things, 

 a difference of opinion prevails as to the best time for sowing the 

 seed, some advocating spring sowing and others favoring the fall. 

 If in the fall the seeding should be done at the time of the fall 

 rains. It is never advisable to sow a lawn in a dry season. In 

 localities where snow falls but slightly in the winter fall planting 

 should not be resorted to. 



Spring planting is more certain of results than that done in the 

 fall. The drawback to spring planting is that the work must be 

 frequently delayed longer than is desirable because of unfavorable 

 soil conditions, particularly upon heavy and retentive soils. Young 



